Parallel tubular string apparatus for well bores



W. D. MYERS Sept. 12, 1961 PARALLEL TUBULAR STRING APPARATUS FOR WELL BOREIS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July ll, 1958 INVENTOR. WILLIAM D- MYEQS BY WZQUM )W 4 7'TOFA/EYS Sept. 12, 1961 w. D. MYERS 2,999,543

PARALLEL TUBULAR STRING APPARATUS FOR WELL BORES Filed July 11, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 60 I J 4 I bio. I" N J8! l0 lo -2q ss SI- 43/ 5 49 5 3| s4 57/ I a I 57/ \32 56 J 5 8 serj 8 5 48 I i i 55 f 54 a z j I a L e g 4 i I 34 i 4 I 35" 53 a I i INVENTOR. WILLIAM D. MYens 59 BY A TTa/ f/VEYS Sept. 12, 1961 w. D. MYERS 2,999,543

PARALLEL TUBULAR STRING APPARATUS FOR WELL BORES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 11, 1958 I 6 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM D. Mveos BY United States Patent 2,999,543 PARALLEL TUBULAR STRING APPARATUS FOR WELL BORES William D. Myers, Norwalk, Califi, assignor to Baker Oil fTools, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of Caliorma Filed July 11, 1958, Ser. No. 748,008 18 Claims. (Cl. 166-129) The present invention relates to subsurface well devices, and more particularly to apparatus for conducting well bore fluids through separate tubular strings disposed in a well bore to the top of the hole.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus to be disposed in a well bore capable of receiving a plurality of generally parallel tubular strings, both of which can be released from the apparatus without removing the latter from the well bore.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus to be disposed in a well bore, in which a plurality of tubular strings can be individually lowered in the well bore and positively guided into properly assembled relation with respect to the apparatus. As an example, all of the tubular strings can be released from the apparatus and removed from the well bore, the strings being individually reinsertable in the well bore and placed in proper operative relation to the apparatus that remains therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus to be disposed in a well bore and capable of receiving a plurality of generally parallel tubular strings, all of which can be subsequenty removed from the apparatus without the need for rotating any of the tubular strings in the well bore.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus to be disposed in a well bore and with which a plurality of generally parallel tubular strings can be properly assembled in the apparatus without the necessity of rotating any of the tubular strings in the well bore.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a packer apparatus to be run and set in a well bore with a tubular running-in string connected thereto, another tubular string being operatively connected to the apparatus, the running-in string being disconnectible and removable from the apparatus without its rotation in the well bore being required, and then reassembleable within the apparatus without rotation, the running-in string further being adapted for reconnection to the apparatus to enable the latter to be withdrawn from the well bore. If required, the running-in string can again be disconnected from the well packer.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearlyapparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. It

will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a combined side elevational view and longitudinal section of an apparatus disposed in a well casing;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the upper portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 disclosing a portion of the apparatus in another operative position;

FIG. 4 is a View similar to FIG. 2 illustrating both of the tubular strings removed from the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is an isometric projection of the upper head portion of the apparatus, illustrating its guiding surfaces;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary isometric projection, with parts broken away, through the latch portion of the apparatus;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 7--7 on FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 88 on FIG. 2.

The apparatus A is illustrated in the drawings as forming part of a well packer of the retrievable type adapted to be anchored in packed-off condition in a well casing B against downward movement therewithin. The lower portion of the apparatus constitutes the set-down type of well packer C, whereas its upper portion D is adapted to receive the lower end portions of first and second tubular strings 10, 11 extending upwardly therefrom in the well casing to the top of the well bore E.

The specific details of the well packer portion C of the apparatus form no part of the present invention, and are set fourth in my application for Parallel Tubing String Packer and Anchor, Serial No. 731,770, filed April 29, 1958. Essentially, such packer includes a main body 12 having a pair of passages 13, 14 therethrough, the first passage extending through an extension 15 piloted within a corresponding passage 13a in a lower body member 16 that may be threadedly attached to tubing 17 depending therefrom, and which may engage a lower packer (not shown) disposed in the well casing B. The lower packer body 16 has an inlet 18 which communicates with the second longitudinal passage 14 extending upwardly through the upper packer member 12. The well packer C includes an upper abutment 19 engaging the upper end of a packing sleeve 20, made of rubber or rubber-like material. The lower end of the packing sleeve engages a lower expander 21 slidable on the body 12 and adapted to coact with segmental slips 22 disposed around the body, the segmental slips being shiftable radially outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well casing B to prevent downward movement of the well packer therewithin. These slips are suitably coupled to a slip ring 2-3 secured to the lower packer body 16.

Inasmuch as details of construction of the packer C portion form no part of the present invention, it is sufiicient to state that the packing sleeve 20 and slips 22 may be releasably retained in their retracted positions to facilitate lowering of the apparatus through the well casing. When the lower tubing 17 engages the lower packer (not shown), the imposition of a sufiicient downward force on the packer body will cause the packing sleeve 20 and lower expander 21 to shift downwardly, the lower expander moving down and behind the slips 22 to expand the latter outwardly into anchoring engagement with the well casing. After the lower expander has expanded the slips against the casing, a slight continuation of the downward movement of the packer body 12 will move the upper abutment 19 toward the expander 21 to foreshorten the rubber packing sleeve 29 and expand it into sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing.

As described in the above-mentioned patent application, elevation of the packer body 12 will result in shifting of the packing sleeve 20 and the slips 22 to their retracted positions, enabling the apparatus to be elevated in the well casing and removed entirely therefrom, if desired.

The upper portion D of the apparatus includes a receptacle or body 24 having a lower threaded box 25 for threaded attachment to the upper threaded end 26 of the packer body portion 12 of the apparatus. This receptacle has a first passage 27 therethrough in alignment and communicable with the first passage 13 through the packer body, as well as a separate second passage 28 therethrough in alignment and communicable with the second passage 14. Both of these passages 27, 28 open upwardly through the upper head end Z9 of the receptacle. The second passage 28 is adapted to receive the lower portion ofthe second tubular string 11 which extends to the top of the well bore. For purposes of illustration, only the lower sub portion of the second tubular string is shown, and this sub portion is insertable within the second passage 23 with a side seal and packing structure 349 thereon adapted to seal against the wall of the second passage. Downward position of the second tubing string 11 is limited by engagement of a stop shoulder 31 thereon with an upwardly facing shoulder 32 on the receptacle body 24 and surrounding the second passage.

The first passage 27 is adapted to receive the lower portion of the first tubular string 'that extends upwardly through the well casing B to the top of the well bore. This first tubular string is generally parallel to and separate from the second tubular string 11. Its 1ower portion includes a sub 33 carrying a side seal or packing structure 34 thereon for sealing against the wall of the first passage. This sub is threadedly attached to a connector sleeve 35' that has a lower male threaded member 36 meshing with a female threaded portion 37 of an expansion sleeve member 38,,the lower portion of which telescopes over a rotational lock sl eve 39 having a lower pin 4t threadedly received within a threaded box 41 in the upper portion of the packer body 12 and surrounding its first passage 13. Leakage of fluid between the lock sleeve 39 and the wall of the first passage 13 is prevented by a suitable side seal 42, such as a rubberor rubber-like G ring, carried on the sleeve 39 and sealingly engaging the wall of the first passage 27. Downward movement of the rotational lock sleeve 39 is limited by engagement of a shoulder 43 thereon with a companion shoulder 44 on the receptacle body 24.

Initially, the connector sleeve 35 is threaded upwardly with the expansion sleeve 38 to its fullest extent, determined by engagement of the connector sleeve with a stop segment 45 secured to the upper end of the expansion sleeve by a pin as. The expansion sleeve 38 is releasably secured to the lock sleeve 39 by a shear screw 47, and is prevented from rotating in a right-hand direction relative to the lock sleeve 39 by a'pin 65 secured to the expansion sleeve 38 and engaging an upwardly extending finger 66 on the lock sleeve, for a purpose that will be described hereinbelow.

The first tubular string 1th is initially secured to the lock sleeve 39 and through the latter to the packer body 12 and the receptacle body 24 by means of the shear screw 47. At that time, a releasable latch device carried by the first tubing string 10 is prevented from being latched to the receptacle body 24-. As shown most clearly in FIG. 2, the upper portion of the receptacle body 24 surrounding the first passage 27 has a female thread 48 therein, formed as downwardly facing ratchet threads, which are adapted to be engaged by and meshed with companion external or male threads 49, that are also formed as ratchet teeth facing in an upward direction, provided on a split expansible latch ring 50. This latch or ratchet ring 59 surrounds the mandrel 33, its upper end being adapted to be engaged by a back-up ring 51, which, in turn, engages a shoulder 52 provided by the lower end of the tubing string section 10 thereabove. When the ratchet ring 50 engages the back-up ring 51, it is disposed opposite a reduced diameter portion 53 of the mandrel 3.5, which will enable the split ratchet ring to contract, so that it can ratchet freely in a downward direction over the female ratchet teeth48 in thereceptacle body 24. Below the reduced diameter portion 53 of the mandrel is a large diameter or backing portion 54 which, when fitting within the split latch ring 50, will hold the latter outwardly into full meshing engagement with the female ratchet teeth 48, and thereby lock the mandrel 33 to the receptacle body 24. When such engagement occurs, a shoulder 55-on the mandrel will engage the lower end of the latch ring 50.

The mandrel also has a key 56 suitably secured thereto, which is adapted to fit within a lower recess or pocket 57 in the leading end of the sleeve 50 adjacent its split when the backing portion 54 is disposed within the ratchet ring or sleeve 50. Since the ratchet threads 48, ,49 are left-handthreads, rotation of the first tubing string '10 and its mandrel 33 to the right will cause the key 56 toengage theringSt) and rotate it to the right, or in a Vclockwisedirection,;securing its unthreading in an upward direction from the female ratchet teeth 48 in the receptacle 24, as describedhereinabove.

The upper head-29 of the receptacle is provided with a plurality of guiding surfaces 60, 61. One of the guiding surfaces 60 is generally frusto-conial, the frusto-co'nical guide surface having its axis substantially coinciding with the axis of the second passage '28. -Itis engageable by the tubular strings 10, ll'to shiftthem, towards the second passage 28. The lower portion;38 of the first tubular string 10 has a diameter greater thanthediameter of the second passage 28, so that it will not enter such passage. However, the diameter of the second passage 28 is such that when the lower portion of the second tubing string 11 engages the upper guide surface 60 it is shifted toward such passage and. will enter the passage 28 to theextent determined by engagement of the stop shoulder 31 with the receptacle body shoulder 32.

In addition to the upper tapered guide surfaceMl on thehead 29, which has as one of its purposes the guiding of the second tubing string 11 into the second passage 28, the head is provided with the lower tapered guide surface '61, which actually forms the base of a groove 62 cut downwardly from the uppermost end of the head 29. The base of the groove extends across the first and second passages 27, 28 and slopes in a downward direction from the outer end of the receptacle adjacent the second passage 28 to the outer end of the receptacle adjacent the first passage 27. The-width of the .groove 62 in the head is greater than the diameter of the mandrel 33 or lower portion 39 of the first tubing string 10. Thus, the first tubing string ltlcan engage the base 61 of the groove at its upper portion 61a and will slide downwardly therealong toward the first passage 27, and will enter such first passage, to insure the appropriate alignment of the axis of the lower mandrel portion 33 of the first tubing string 10 with the axis of the first passage 27 in the receptacle body :24. The bottom orbase 61 of the groove is made of V-shape, the base portion tapering from the sides 63 of the groove 62 downwardly toward a central plane passing through the axes of both the first and second passages 27, 28.

Assuming that the second tubing string 11 is not disposed in the Well casing or within the second passage 28 in the receptacle body 24, lowering of the first tubing string 10 towards the apparatus may result in its lower end engaging the upper tapered guide surface 60, which will then steer it downwardly toward the upper end of the second passage 28. The lower portion of the first tubing string will drop off the upper tapered guide surface 60 into the transverse groove 62 extending across the head 29 and will engage the base 61 of this groove which is inclined downwardly in the opposite direction from the direction of inclination of the upper tapered surface 60. The first tubing string 10 then sldes downwardly along the base 61 of the groove toward the mouth of the first passage 27, dropping thereinto. Of course, by happenstance, the first tubing string 10 could engage the base 61 of the groove without first engaging the upper tapered guide surface 60, in which event it would still be guided downwardly to the upper end of the first passage 27 and will then move downwardly thereinto.

After the first tubing string 10 has been appropriately located in the first passage 27, lowering of the second tubing string 11 in the well casing will cause its lower end to engagethe upper tapered, guide surface 60, which wil steer it toward the second passage 28, into which it will shift.

In the use of the apparatus, the slips 22 and packing 20 of the well packer portion C are in their retracted positions, the first tubing string being inserted in the first passage 27 with theshear screw 47 attaching the expansion sleeve '38 to the rotational lock sleeve 39, and with the connector sleeve 35 occupying its upward threaded position in the expansion sleeve 38. At this time, the ratchet ring 50 is disposed in its upper position immediately above the female threaded ratchet portion 48 of the receptacle 24. The lock sleeve 39 is threaded in the box 41 of the packer body 12. The first tubing string is thereby connected to the packer portion of the apparatus through the shear screw 47. The second tubing string 11 has not been disposed in the well bore at this time.

The apparatus is run in the well casing by means of the first tubing string 10, until the lower tubing 17 appropriately engages a lower member in the Well bore, such as a lower well packer (not shown) which precludes further downward movement of the lower packer body 16. Thereupon, the first tubing string 10 can be lowered additionally, which will shift the receptacle 24 and upper packer body member 12 downwardly to expand the slips 22 against the casing B, as well as the packing sleeve 20 into sealing engagement with the well casing.

The packer is now anchored in packed-olf condition in the well casing, with the first tubing string 10 in comrnunication with the first passage 13, 1311 through the packer and the tubing 17 therebelow. It can conduct fluid from a lower region in the well bore such as a region below the lower well packer (not shown) to the top of the hole. The second tubing string 11 can now be lowered in the well casing, and upon reaching the upper guide surface 60, the latter will shift it toward the second receptacle passage 28, the second tubing string entering such passage and coming to rest therein with its stop shoulder 31 engaging the receptacle stop shoulder 32. Fluid can now flow upwardly through the second inlet 18, second packer passage 14 and second receptacle passage 28 into the second tubing string 11, to be conducted therethrough to the top of the well bore separate and distinct from the fluid flowing upwardly through the first tubing string 10.

If at any time it is desired to remove the second tubing string 11, this can be done very simply by taking a straight line pull thereon, the second tubing string merely moving upwardly out of the receptacle 24. Similarly, first tubing string 10 can be removed from the receptacle 24 by taking a straight line upward pull thereon. Such a straight line pull need only be exerted with a force sufiicient to overcome the strength of the shear screw 47 which will be disrupted, allowing the first tubular string It) to be removed from the first passage 27 and completely from the well bore, if desired. The rotational lock sleeve 39 remains in the first passage 27, threadedly connected to the upper end of the packer body 12. If assurance is to be had that the retrievable well acker C will not be released during release of the first tubing string 10 from the apparatus, sufficient downward Weight or force may be imposed on the second tubing string 11, while it is disposed in the receptacle, until the strength of the shear screw 47 has been overcome, whereupon the latter is sheared and the first tubing string 10 removed from the receptacle.

Assuming the second tubing string 11 to be disposed in the second passage 28 and the first tubing string 10 to have been removed from the first passage 27, the first tubing string can again be disposed in the first passage. Upon its lowering in the well casing, its lower end may engage the upper guide surface 60, but since the second tubing string 11 is assembled in place it can only move into engagement with said second tubing string, whereupon it will shift downwardly off the guide surface 60 into the transverse groove 62, engaging the lower tapered guide surface 61, which will slide the lower end of the first tubing string 14 toward the first passage 27, into which it will then enter, the first tubing string coming to rest with the expansion sleeve 38 disposed over the upper portion of the rotational lock sleeve 39, in which the coupling pin 65 on the expansion sleeve is in transverse alignment with the stop finger 66 on the lock sleeve.

Assuming that the first tubing string 10 has been withdrawn from the receptacle 24, as well as the second tubing string 11, leaving the apparatus A disposed in the Well bore, the first tubing string 10 can be lowered in the well casing and will again be guided into the first receptacle passage 27. If the lower end of the first tubing string engages the upper guide head surface 60, it will slide downwardly therealong toward the second passage 28. However, upon dropping off the lower portion of the upper guide surface, it will engage the upper portion 61a of the second guide surface 61, that tapers or slopes in the opposite direction from the upper surface 60. Since the diameter of the lower end of the first tubing string It) is greater than the entrance diameter of the second passage 27, the first tubing string will slide past such entrance and will move toward the entrance into the first receptacle passage 27. Upon reaching such passage, the tubing string 10 will slide thereinto and move downwardly in the first passage until it is disposed fully therewithin, such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The second tubing string 11 can then be lowered in the well casing. It will engage the upper guide surface 60 and will be steered thereby toward the second passage 28, into which it will drop and then move to its final position in th second passage. The second tubing string 11 cannot move into the first passage since such passage is already occupied by the first tubing string 10.

It is, accordingly, evident that both tubing strings 1t), 11 can be removed from the apparatus without rotation, and that both tubing strings can be reinserted in the apparatus without rotation. This is of importance in connection with the use of gas lift valves and the like in the tubing string, which very often do not permit a tub ing string to be rotated.

The tubing strings 10, it can be removed from the receptacle 24 and reinserted therewithin as many times as desired. If the apparatus A is to be retrieved from the well casing B, the first tubing string 10 is connected thereto, assuming that the shear screw 47 has been disrupted. If the shear screw has not been disrupted, in view of the fact that the first tubing string may not have been Withdrawn from the first passage 27, all that is necessary is to first remove the second tubing string 11 from the apparatus and the well casing, whereupon the taking of an upward pull on the first tubing string 10 will exert an upward pull on the packer body 12 allowing the packing 20 to retract, the expander 21 being shifted upwardly to effect retraction of the slips 22 from the well casing. If, however, the shear screw 47 has previously been disrupted, then the first tubing string 10 is connected to the receptacle body 24, which, in turn, is threadedly attached to the packing body 12, by means of the threaded latch ring or sleeve 50 engaging the ratchet teeth 48 in the upper portion of the receptacle body 24.

It is to be noted that the connector sleeve 35 is initially threaded upwardly in the expansion sleeve 38;, to prevent the latch ring 50 from threadedly engaging the companion left-hand thread 48 in the upper portion of the receptacle body 24. When such engagement is to occur, the first tubing string 10 is rotated, which will rotate the mandrel 33 and the connector sleeve 38. The fact that the packer C is set in the well casing will prevent the rotational lock sleeve 39 from turning. The expan sion sleeve 38 can only turn until its stop or coupling pin 65 engages the stop finger 66 on the lock sleeve, whereupon the expansion sleeve can no longer partake manner described hereinabove.

' Z of rotation. Rotation of the mandrel 33 and connecter sleeve 35 will then result in downward threading of the connectersleeve within the expansion sleeve 38, the back- -up-ring 51 engaging thedatch i and shifting 1t downwardly within the femalethreads 43 in the upper portlonof the receptacle body. When the connecter sleeve 35 has been threaded downwardly to its fullest extent (FIG. 3), the latch 5i) will be disposed fully within the threaded box 48, the ratchet teeth 49 on the latch having merely Such.

ratcheted downwardly over the box teeth 48.- downward ratcheting is permitted by allowing the ring 54) to contract as a result of its being disposed opposite the reduced diameter portion 54 of the mandrel. Upon the ring 59 reaching its downward position within the left-hand threaded ratchet box 48, an upward pull can be taken on the first tubing string iii which will shift the mandrel 33 upwardly and place its enlarged back-up surface 54 within and behind the ratchet ring, preventing the latter from shifting inwardly, which would remove its threads 49 from meshing engagement with the female threads 48 of the receptacle. Upward movement of the first tubing string 1i and mandrel 33 can now take place, the shoulder on the mandrel engaging the lower end of the ratchet ring 5% through which part the upward force of movement is transmitted to the co-engaging threads 49, 48

to the receptacle body 24, and from the latter to the packer body 12, which will be elevated to retract the packing 2i and slips 22 from the well casing, and enable the entire apparatus A to be moved upwardly in the well casing B.

During the upward movement of the mandrel 33 within the ratchet sleeve 50, after the latter has engaged the left-hand threads 48 in the receptacle body 24, the key 56 may not be in alignment with the recess 57 opening through the lower end of the ratchet sleeve 5! If such engagement does not occur, rotation of the tubing string 30 will cause the mandrel 33 to turn within the ratchet sleeve, until the key 56 is disposed under the recess 57, whereupon the key will shift upwardly into the recess and rotationally couple the mandrel 33 to the ratchet or latch ring 50.

Following meshing of the latch ring 5%) with the threads 48 of the receptacle body 24, the first tubing string can still be disconnected from the receptacle body 24, if desired. All that need occur is to rotate the first tubing string 10 to the right, which rotation will be transferred through the key 56 to the latch ring 50. Since the threads 48, 49 are left hand, such rotation will result in an up- .Ward threading of the latch ring 50 relative to the receptacle box 48 until the latch ring is completely unthreaded therefrom, whereupon the first tubing string 10 can be elevated and its lower portion removed from the first passage 27. =If the first tubing string 10 is again to be placed in the recepacle, it will enter the first passage 27, being guided thereinto by the upper tapered guide surface 6% and the lower tapered guide surface 61, in the Since the connecter sleeve 35 has been threaded downwardly to its fullest extent with the expansion sleeve 38, the downward insertion of the first tubing string 10 within the first passage 27 will probably result in a re-latching of the ring 50 with the-threads 48 of the receptacle body, requiring rotation of the first tubing string it to effect its subsequent release from the receptacle 24 if its removal therefrom is again desired.

It is, accordingly, apparent that an apparatus has been provided in which a plurality of separate tubing strings can be appropriately related to a well packer or other apparatus in the Well bore, individually removed from such apparatus, and reassembled with respect to such apparatus while it is in the well bore, all without requiring rotation of either of the tubing strings. If it is desired to remove the apparatus from the well bore, such re- .moval can occur as a result of merely moving thefirst .tubing string 10 upwardly, in the event the Shear screw 47 has not been disrupted, or if it has been disrupted, effecting a downward feeding of the ratchet or latch ring 50,,1mtil, it threadedly meshes with the threads 48 in the receptacle body 24,. whereupon 'thetaking of an upward pnllwill shift the; packer body 12upwardly to enable the packing sleeve 20 and slips 22 to shift to their retracted positions. The entire apparatus can then be removed from the. well bore.

In the event the appartus is to be used in a well casing having an inside diameter which is materially greater than the outside diameter of the receptacle body 24, one or both of the tubing strings 10, 11 may tend to hang up on the end of the upper guide head 29. To prevent such action from occurring, an upper guide sleeve St} is mounted on the 'head 29,.this guide sleeve having an inside diameter sufficient to permit passage of both tubing strings 10, 11 therethrough, with its lower end resting upon a shoulder 81- on the receptacle body. The guide ring maybe secured to the body by one or more screws 82. The external diameter of the ring or sleeve 80 is greaterthan the external diameter of the receptacle body 24, but is substantially less than the inside diameter of the well casing, B. in which the apparatus is to be used. Its upper end 83 is tapered in a downward and inward direction, forming a guiding surface to direct the first and second tubing strings 10, 11 inwardly of the guide ring 80and into engagement with the upper tapered guide surface 60.and the lower tapered guide surface (it.

The guidesleeve,.80.doesnot affect-nor modify the operation of the apparatus, except that it offers assurance against any .of the tubingstrings 1d, 11 engaging the guide head 29 and remaining on an outer edge thereof,

rather than being, directed toward one or both of the passages 2'7, 28 through the receptacle body 24.

The inventor claims:

1. In apparatus to be disposed in a well bore: a body member having first and second passages therein, said first passage having a larger diameter than said second passage; first guide means on saidbody inclined downwardly toward and extending to said second passage and adapted to be engaged by a second tubular string extending from the top of the well bore to direct said second tubular string to said second passage; and a second guide means on said body inclineddownwardly fromsaid second passage toward and extending to said first passage and adapted to be engaged by a first tubular string extending to the top of thewellbore to direct said first tubular string tosaid first passage.

2. In apparatus .to be disposed in a well bore: a body member having first and second passages therein, said first passage having a larger diameter than said second passage; said bodyhaving an upper generally frusto-conical surface inclined downwardly toward and extending to said second passage and adapted to be engaged by a second tubular string extending to the top of the well bore to direct said second tubular string to said second passage; said body having a transverse groove extending downwardly from said frusto-conical surface and having a base inclined downwardly from said second passage toward and extending to said first passage, said base being engageable by a first tubular string extending to the top of the well bore to direct said first tubular string to said first passage.

3. In apparatus to be disposed in a well bore: a body member having. first and second passages therein; said body having an upper generally frusto-conical surface inclined downwardly toward and extending to said second passage and adapted to be engaged by a second tubular string extending to'the top of the well bore to direct said second tubular string to said second passage; said body having a transverse groove extending downwardly from said frusto-conical surface and having a basetinclined downwardly from said second passage toward and extending to said first passage, said base being engageable by a first tubular string extending to the top of the well bore .to, direct saidfirst tubular string to said first passage.

4. Imapparatus .to,-be disposed in a well bore: abody member having first and second passages therein, said first first passage having a larger diameter than said second passage; first guide means on said body inclined downwardly toward and extending to said second passage; a second tubular string extending to the top of the well bore and engageable with said first guide means to be directed thereby toward said second passage; second guide means on said body inclined downwardly from said second passage toward and extending to said first passage; and a first tubular string extending to the top of the well bore and engageable with said second guide means to be directed thereby toward said first passage, said first tubular string having a larger diameter than said second passage and adapted to move into said first passage.

5. In apparatus to be disposed in a well bore: a body member having first and second passages therein, said first passage having a larger diameter than said second passage; said body having an upper generally frusto-conical surface inclined downwardly toward and extending to said second passage; a second tubular string extending to the top of the well bore and engageable with said frustoconical surface to be directed thereby toward said second passage; said body having a transverse groove extending downwardly from said frusto-conical surface and having a base inclined downwardly from said second passage toward and extending to said first passage; and a first tubular string extending to the top of the well bore and engageable with said base to be directed thereby toward said first passage, said first tubular string having a larger diameter than said second passage and adapted to move into said first passage.

6. In apparatus to be disposed in a well bore: a body member having first and second passages therein, said first passage having a larger diameter than said second passage; first guide means on said body inclined downwardly toward and extending to said second passage; a second tubular string extending to the top of the well bore and engageable with said first guide means to be directed thereby toward said second passage; second guide means on said body inclined downwardly from said second passage toward and extending to said first passage; a first tubular string extending to the top of the well bore and engageable with said second guide means to be directed thereby toward said first passage, said first tubing string having a larger diameter than said second passage and adapted to move into said first passage; and means releasably securing said first tubular string to said body member when said first tubular string is in said first passage.

7. In apparatus to be disposed in a well bore: a body member having first and second passages therein, said first p ssage having a larger diameter than said second passage; first guide means on said body inclined downwardly toward and extending to said second passage; a second tubular string extending to the top of the well bore and engageable withsaid first guide means to be directed thereby toward said second passage; second guide means on said body inclined downwardly from said second passage toward and extending to said first passage; a first tubular itlillg extending to the top of the well bore and engageable with said second guide means to be directed thereby voward said first passage, said first tubing string having a .arger diameter than said second passage and adapted to nove into said first passage; and frangible means releas- 1bly securing said first tubular string to said body mem- Jer when said first tubular string is in said first passage.

8. In apparatus to be disposed in a well bore: a body nember having first and second passages therein, said irst passage having a larger diameter than said second aassage; said body having an upper generally frusto-coni- :al surface inclined downwardly toward and extending to :aid second passage; a second tubular string extending to he top of the well bore and engageable with said frusto- :onical surface to be directed thereby toward said second )assage, said body having a transverse groove extending lowr WLIUiY from said frusto-conical surface and having a base inclined downwardly from said second passage toward and extending to said first passage; a first tubular string extending to the top of the well bore and engageable with said base to be directed thereby toward said first passage, said first tubular string having a larger diameter than said second passage and adapted to move into said first passage; and frangible means releasably securing said first tubular string to said body member when said first tubular string is in said first passage.

9. In apparatus to be disposed in a well bore: a body member having first and second passages therein, said first passage having a larger diameter than said second passage; first guide means on said body inclined downwardly toward and extending to said second passage; a second tubular string extending to the top of the well bore and engageable with said first guide means to be directed thereby toward said second passage; second guide means on said body inclined downwardly from said second passage toward and extending to said first passage; a first tubular string extending to the top of the well bore and engageable with said second guide means to be directed thereby toward said first passage, said first tubing string having a larger diameter than said second passage and adapted to move into said first passage; coengageable latch means on said first tubular string and body member for connecting said first tubular string to said body member; means for preventing engagement of said latch means; and means for shifting said preventing means to a position permitting engagement of said latch means.

10. In apparatus to be disposed in a Well bore: a body member having first and second passages therein; first guide means on said body inclined downwardly toward and extending to said second passage; a second tubular string extending to the top of the Well bore and engageable with said first guide means to be directed thereby toward the second passage; second guide means on said body inclined downwardly from said second passage toward and extending to said first passage; a first tubular string extending to the top of the well bore engageable with said second guide means to be directed thereby toward said first passage; coengageable latch means on said first tubular string and body member for connecting said first tubular string to said body member; means for preventing engagement of said latch means; and means for shifting said preventing means to a position permitting engagement of said latch means.

11. In apparatus to be disposed in a well bore: a body member having first and second passages therein, said first passage having a larger diameter than said second passage; first guide means on said body inclined downwardly toward and extending to said second passage; a second tubular string extending to the top of the well bore and engageable wtih said first guide means to be directed thereby toward said second passage; second guide means on said body inclined downwardly from said second passage toward and extending to said first passage; a first tubular string extending to the top of the well bore and engageable with said second guide means to be directed thereby toward said first passage; said first tubing string having a larger diameter than said second passage and adapted to move into said first passage; latch means on said first tubular string adapted to engage a companion latch member on said body member to connect said first tubular string to said body member; means on said first tubular string holding said latch means above said latch member; and means responsive to rotation of said first tubular string for shifting said first tubular string downwardly of said body member to permit said iatch means to engage said latch member.

12. In apparatus to be disposed in a well bore: a body member having first and second passages therein, said first passage having a larger diameter than said second passage; first guide means on said body inclined downwardly toward and extending to said second passage; a second tubular string extending to the top of the Well bore and engageable with said first guide means to be directed thereby toward said second passage; second guide means on said body inclined downwardly from said second passage toward and extending to said first passage; and a first tubular string extending to the top of the well bore and engageable with said second guide means to be directed thereby toward said first passage, said first tubular string having a larger diameter than said second passage and adapted to move into said first passage; latch means on one of said tubular strings adapted to engage a companion latch member on said body member to connect said one tubular string to said body member; means on said one tubular string holding said latch means above said latch member; and means responsive to rotation of said one tubular string for shifting said one tubular string downwardly of said body member to permit said latch means to engage said latch member.

13. in apparatus to be disposed in a well bore: a body member having first and second passages therein; first guide means on said body inclined downwardly toward and extending to said second passage; a second tubular string extending to the top of the well bore and engageable with said first guide means to be directed thereby toward the second passage; second guide means on said body inclined downwardly from said second passage toward and extending to said first passage; a first tubular string extending to the top of the well bore engageable with said second guide means to be directed thereby toward said first passage; coengageable latch means on one of said tubular strings and body member for connecting said one tubular string to said body member; means for preventing engagement of said latch means; and means for shifting said preventing means to a position permitting engagement of said latch means.

14. in apparatus to be disposed in a well bore: a body member having a passage therein; a tubular member disposed in said passage; a latch member on said body member; latch means on said tubular member adapted to engage said latch member to connect said tubular member to said body member; means on said tubular member engaging said body member to hold said tubular member in a position with said latch means above said body member; and means for shifting said tubular member relative to said holding means to a position in which said latch means can engage said latch member.

15. In apparatus to be disposed in a well bore: a body member having a passage therein; a tubular member disposed in said passage; a latch member on said body member; latch means on said tubular member adapted to engage said latch member to connect said tubular member to said body member; means on said tubular member engaging said body member to hold said latch means above said body member; and said last-mentioned means being responsive to rotation of the tubular member for shifting said tubular member downwardly in said body member to a position permitting said latch means to engage said latch member.

16. In apparatus to be disposed in a well bore: a body member having a passage therein; a tubular member disposed in said passage; latch member on said body member; latch means on said tubular member adapted to engaged said latch member to connect said tubular member to said body member; a threaded member engaging said body member and threadedly engaging said tubular member to hold said latch means above said latch member, rotation of said tubular member feeding said tubular member and latch means downwardly to a position permitting said latch means to engage said latch member.

17. In apparatus to be disposed in a well bore: a body member having a passage therein; a tubular member disposed in said passage; a latch member on said body member; latch means on said tubular member adapted to engage said latch member to connect said tubular member to said body member; a threaded member engaging said body member and threadedly engaging said tubular member to hold said latch means above said latch member, rotation of said tubular member feeding said tubular member and latch means downwardly to a position permitting said latch means to engage said latch member; and frangible means releasably connecting said threaded member to said body member.

18. In apparatus to be disposed in a Well bore: a body member having 'a passage therein; a tubular member disposed in said passage; a latch member on said body member; latch means on said tubular member adapted to engage said latch member to connect said tubular member to said body member; a threaded member engaging said body member and threadedly engaging said tubular member to hold said latch means above said latch member, rotation of said tubular member feeding said tubular member and latch means downwardly to a position permitting said latch means to engage said latch member; frangible means releasably connecting said threaded member to said body member; and means on said body member engaging said threaded member to prevent rotation of said threaded member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Brown Sept. 8, 1959 Disclaimer 2,999,543.-W2'Zlam D. Jig/67's, Norwalk, Calif. PARA APPARATUS FOR ELL Bomzs. P

claimer filed Jan. 29, 1964:, by the assignee, Baker Oil Tools, Ina. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 1 and 4 of said patent.

[O fioz'al Gazette Apm'l 2], 1964.]

LLEL TUBULAR STRING atenfl dated Sept. 12, 1961. Dis- 

